Golf Forums - Putters.....

 Just wondering what evryones thoughts are on the broomstick and belly putters debate is are you for them or should they be banned?

I changed to a broomstick putter earlier this year and I am a fan now of them.

if you feel they should be banned what are your reasons for doing so?

For the amatuer golfer, I have no problem with them.

It's at the pinnacle of the game that I think they should be banned. We are into the same territory here as the old croquet stick putter of many years ago - it becomes a different stroke action to hit a croquet style putt, much as it changes the stroke with three points of contact with the belly/broomstick putter.

If you want to play with the best, you should all play with the same 'tools' - either all belly or all broomstick or all the good old short stick. There should be no mixing it up.

jb

Wish I read it properly before hand...... DOH!!

I am of the opinion that if it was that much of an assitance then all pro tour players would be using them.
Lets be fair they are playing for millions of pounds, so if it was going to give you a better chance i truly believe they would be in every golf bag. 

Everyone has a putting style, ive only been playing 4 years and i have seen enough know we all do it are own way.

Id rather see anti slice/hook clubs banned from the game myself. 

Good debate...

I agree with the rule that there should only be a max. of two point of contact with the clubs (i.e. your hands), therefore, while I am happy for the broomstick to be used, I think the belly putter IS cheating.

Ps You can't ban the Offset drivers Andy.... I'd be playing off 36 if I didnt have that function!!

:-)

 Like Ian I agree with the two points of contact. 

"As long as it's legal.....I'll keep cheating like the rest of them," said Ernie Els, regarding longer putters.

He used a 'belly' putter to capitalise on Adam Scott's final round collapse at Royal Lytham.   Scott. of course, was using the long 'broomstick' putter.   Els believes there should be no anchorage points to your body but is happy to take advantage whilst the Rules permit. 

With three of the last five 'Majors' won by players using longer putters, the R&A and USGA are considering the issue, but any rule change will not take effect until 2016, allowing all players to revert to the 'short' stick. No doubt the debate will continue for a long while......

I have not tried a longer putter and have never played with anyone who uses one, so have only seen them on TV.   Has it improved your putting, Roger?   If you can join the game at East Brighton (03 Sept), I'd like to see one close up? 

I've tried the long-handled putters but still stick with a more traditional type, probably because I feel more comfortable with the short stick.  Idon't have an issue with anyone who chooses to use the longer version, as  long as I am allowed to use it when marking the two-club lengths from a hazard.

I quite enjoy putting with the short version, and occasionally do have some success...


(I've also used the offset anti-slice driver - and it doesn't prevent a shank...) 


What will be banned next - not the Slazenger 'bald eagle'  or the knife fairway woods... all profess some enhancements... but in reality it's people that deliver mostly, not just the technology... After all Golf is a game played in the mind; mainly...

If it keeps more peopple playing for longer then shouldn't we be in favour...